Lords of Everwinter Issue #1 - To Awaken the Dragon

[The Rose Dragon]

Once, there was a maiden
Who loved the storm and the snow
And she walked as far
As the world went
Until the world itself gave way to winds
And her blood burned
And her flesh became ablaze
And her soul was alight
And nothing was left of her
But a frozen statue
"Love is sacrifice" she said

_/_/_/_/

The winter is coming to the North, more fiercely than it will arrive at anywhere else in Creation. It is the season of Air, the Resplendent month, in Realm Year 764. By fate or by chance - and chance plays little role in Creation -, you have all come to Three Pillars, one of the last stops of civilization before the White Sea and the endless wastes of ice that lies beyond. Here, protected by the three white jade columns surrounding the town, you are safe from most things, even if it is by virtue of being too small to be noticed.

At least at the moment.

As you are Exalted by the grace of the moon and the sun, you cannot remain unnoticed for long, before the Essence of your soul shines through to illuminate even the dark nights of North. The bastards of the dragons may light up like flickering candles, but even in their great numbers they pale before the great fire of a Celestial Exalt's Essence.

Hopefully, the chilling storms of the North will not prove sufficient to smother that fire.

_/_/_/_/

Epoch

For days, you have been traveling through the tundras, your Exaltation fueling you through the journey, but you cannot travel further without resting and taking off the burden of the orichalcum plates on your back. Fortunately for you, you have arrived on the doorstep of Three Pillars, which should suffice for the time being as your next stop.

It is the early hours of the morning, yet the sky is too dark to see the sun through. You may be the star that will dawn on this town, given time, but for now, you need to rest. It might be prudent to hide your nature until you know how the inhabitants of the small town will react to one of the Lightbringers, but you have a feeling the Immaculate dogma is not very strong this far to the North.

_/_/_/_/

Wynn

Life in the North is harsh, even for the Children of the Moon. While a Lunar can survive in the chilling wilderness, it is also their nature to find something to protect and champion, and there is little to be found to defend. For some time now, you have been trying to find something to devote yourself to, mostly in vain. A few weeks ago, the winds became harsher and the air colder, making your flights uncomfortable. So you have made a temporary nest of the rooftops of Three Pillars, the closest form of civilization you could find, using a loose understanding of the word civilization. The stay has been comfortable, relatively speaking. The townsfolk keep the wild birds adequately fed, and there are places to keep warm, if not exactly clean.

Watching the people go about their everyday lives is strangely comforting. They do not have to live with the power filling them, eager to be released. They are small creatures, content with mortality. You are greater than that; you are a Child of the Moon, which drives you to find purpose, yet failing to find one.

A week ago, however, something drew your attention. A man, wearing the features of a fox, with silver and crimson fur, and an empty ring upon his brow, entered Three Pillars. He is strangely reminiscent of one of the Children of the Hidden Moon, but if he is one, he certainly likes to flaunt his Exalted nature. This certainly does not mesh well with what your mentor taught you about how Lunars must act hidden, lest they draw the attention of the Realm. What is more, you feel drawn to the man, as if he was a part of your soul that has been missing until now. Yet the attachment lacks context, and you feel the urge to get to know him better.

You have nested on the roof of the inn he entered yesterday, Jasmine Dawn, and woke up a few minutes ago. You do not know whether he is still inside, or whether you should even seek him out today, but it seems like a good place to start as any.

_/_/_/_/

Two-Fisted Drest

As the sun shines to illuminate the world at its zenith, so too have you striven to illuminate the souls of Three Pillars. So far, you have done as well as you could without using Essence, but people still seem to think of you as a driven man with good tales rather than a priest of the King of Yu-Shan himself. However, this does little to diminish your spirit; on the contrary, you find yourself even more driven to enlighten them. And more and more people listen to you every day, proving your words still shine through.

A week ago, you left Three Pillars for a mammoth hunt with Aesir and Edda and came back this morning with a good bounty of ivory - enough to last you for a month, at least. Now, however, more than trading in the ivory, you desire a good, stiff drink, and the warmth of a fireplace. With that in mind, you walk into the Jasmine Dawn, a small inn you have become quite familiar with since arriving at Three Pillars. It is quite silent, as the day is just starting, but the fireplace is already warmed up.

"Greetings, Drest. Back from your hunt already?" The innkeeper, a man about your age named Sable Rain, is cleaning the bar, as he always does. You can swear that there wouldn't be a speck of dust or a drop of alcohol on the counter, and yet he would still be cleaning it, right as day.

_/_/_/_/

Ahrim Kros

Your forge is one of the warmest places in Three Pillars, after the bed of a loving woman, and you have not had time to pursue the latter so far. You woke up early, as you often do, to work on yet another commission from your mysterious sponsor. It is troubling how he seemingly knows of your Exalted nature, yet never asks for something truly worth your talent. This time is no exception. He asked for seven hammers of the finest steel and craftsmanship, yet made sure he wasn't looking for the slightest trace of magical materials in them. He made sure you were well compensated, however, so you did not deny the request.

You long for the day you could prove yourself with something greater, however. The day you could once again lay your hands on a talent of jade, or better yet, the fiery sheen of orichalcum. So far, the only time you had the fortune of working on the latter was when you forged the gauntlets you wear, and you still savor the thrill of that work.

One of the downsides of living in a forge, however, is that it leaves little room to have a meal. Hungry after four hours of constant working near the blistering heat, you feel the need to stop by Jasmine Dawn soon. Either that, or you need to get yourself a better place to live in, which is not going to happen soon if you want the beneficence of your mysterious Benefactor to continue.

_/_/_/_/

Vek Stormchaser

There was a certain liberation, a definite thrill, back in the days when you were part of Red Hawk's crew. As long as you respected old man Iarus, the skies were yours to terrify and roam. Such was a pirate's life, and it was the best thing that happened to you after your Exaltation.

Here, on the ground in Three Pillars, you have none of that.

Sure, it's a more peaceful life, but peace is not the destiny of the Lawgivers for long, and you wish for the life you had before you were graced with the power of the sun. Nothing is challenging anymore, and that was one of the things that made your life as a pirate so great. Now, your soul yearns to be more, and thus, you roam through Three Pillars in search of a greater quest. Until today, you have found no such thing - if you could sum up Three Pillars with one word, it would be boring.

Today, however, you wake up in your room in Jasmine Dawn with a feeling of an interesting day coming. You can't exactly tell why or what, but something is coming. Something worthy of being the first page of your epic legend. And it is very close, you are certain. Interesting, however, is never without trouble.

Let trouble come, then. You are one of the Iron Wolves, a child of the Hidden Sun now. You relish trouble.

[Raz_Fox]

Vek was standing in the main square of this peaceful town, watching the stormclouds overhead blaze with thunder and lightning. The plaza was empty, lit only by a few guttering lanterns. Rain swept the cobblestones, slicked back his fur, both rain and fur sent scurrying by the furious wind.
He looked around, tried to figure out which way to go - which way out of the storm? He looked down at his arm and saw a whirling compass beneath his skin, its needle spinning in a hundred different directions at once. Its hypnotic swirl drew him in, sucked the strength from his legs. Above him, the stormclouds thickened and screamed in fury, as a shadow fell on the plaza.

Vek woke up with a start. He poked his head out of the heavy blankets and slunk out of bed as usual, ignoring the cold floor as he staggered out. He pulled on his ragged clothes and buckled them tight out of habit, tightened his belt and seated his goggles at a rakish angle on his brow. Swift Song sat ready at his side, and he felt invigorated despite his dream.

He descended the stairs of the Jasmine Dawn swiftly and swept through the tavern room, ignoring the old men at the bar counter as he did so. No, he wanted a piping hot breakfast this morning, and a meal eaten without being given odd looks by old codgers well past their prime.

Vek moved out the door with his typical panache, into the biting cold. He took a deep breath, loving the touch of frost down his throat and into his lungs, and grinned widely, every ivory fang sparkling on display. It was time to find something better than this; a place where he could find adventure.

[Axelgear]

Two-Fisted Drest

Trudging through the door in heavy hide boots, Drest trails the snow behind him, a cold breeze following him and the two beasts in his tow. The door clacks as it closes behind him as it shuts, the warmth welcome. The old man nods to the two beasts, who nod back, moving to the fire and curling up there, shaking off their coats along the way.

"Yes. Expected an old man to take his time, did you?" He asks with a smirk, pulling back his hood to reveal his straight, white hair hanging from the back of his balding head. His old eyes show no sign of dulling, as ever, as they seem to stare into Rain's soul and pierce him with anger at a perceived slight. Waiting until he sees Rain falter under his stare, Drest's gaze immediately softens with a sudden chuckle and the clink of silver onto the counter. "Ha ha, got you there! A drink, Rain. I need something to warm me up."

As he waits for his drink, Drest makes some small talk. "So, how've things been? I haven't missed anything interesting, have I?" He asks nonchalantly, not wanting to slip behind on current events.

[Phrax]

It is not Epoch's armor that weighs him down, nor fatigue from its wear, thanks to the gifts of the Unconquered sun. Though, even the gleaming armor of the Chosen is subject to weather, and unfortunately, ice takes kindly to its surface. Frost, not given a chance to thaw, gives way to full, frozen surfaces that creak and crackle with motion.His grand mantle of fur is heavy with collected snow and ice from the nearing storm, and it is all the man can do to soldier on and keep the garment from dragging the ground with each step.

As if guided by some unseen force he trudges through the streets and into an inn, the sign above proclaiming the establishment as the Jasmine Dawn, heavy bootsteps and the soft clanking of armor plates heralding his arrival. He pauses upon seeing those assembled in the main room, 'hovering' in the verge as it were, his cold armor meeting the warm air inside with a thawing creak once he shuts the door behind him. Unable to resist, Epoch lets out a soft sigh as the weight of frost begins to release its hold on him, giving way to a steadily enlarging pool of water at his feet.

Given a moment or two to warm up, his hands reach for his helm, lifting it from his head slowly. The headgear seems to gradually dissolve into nothingness, before finally ceasing to exist before it can even reach the man's side. Long, raven-black hair lays tousled about his shoulders, and he shakes his head softly to correct the matter, each lock taking their place in a spot not too much more desirable from where they started. This done, at last the Soul speaks, should he gain any attention from those assembled, and to none in particular, his words a simple statement, and explanation of presence, "There is a storm brewing, so I have sought shelter in this establishment. If I am unwelcome, I will leave once more.", he intones, as if ritually making an excuse for an inconvenience of some sort.

[The_Snark]

Before the change, Wynn had never known where birds slept. She'd seen them on the roofs, she'd seen them flying in the country, she'd seen them on the ground hunting for scraps—but only during the day; at night, they all vanished. Now she knew: they hid at the tops of trees and behind the rooftops, where nobody could find them save other birds.

It was only one of the things she loved about being one, but it was an important one. She felt secret when she slept. Safe. That had been a rare and treasured feeling before the change, and now she could partake of it every night.

It didn't fade entirely during the day, either. Who really watched the birds? Who plotted to steal their food, or cut their throats? She could sit atop the rooftops and look down, and know that few of the people below would see her, or care if they did notice. As the last few days had proved.

The bird that was Wynn stretched its wings, hopped up to the inn's pointed roof where it could resume its vigil. The man Wynn was following was a strange one: clever enough to hide his tattoos, but brazen enough to stride about in public clad in a shape that was at least half-animal. Even somebody who'd never heard of the Immaculates could see that he was something odd. People noticed someone like that, remembered him even if he'd done nothing more than pass by on the other side of the street. From above, she could catch every second glance people threw his way, and he was being noticed. He had to know.

He was up to something, she was sure of it. Why else would he be taking that risk, letting everybody know where and what he was? He was talking to people, moving from house to house. Searching for something, maybe—or someone. She shouldn't have cared; it was none of her business, and on the off chance his search did concern her, well, even more reason to be gone. Should have left a day ago. But every time she looked at the horizon and got ready to take flight, she remembered she didn't have anywhere else to be, didn't have anything better to do.

So she stayed.

Today, she was only just in time. The foxman (Vek, she'd overheard from a dickering shopkeep) was already outside the inn, standing in the courtyard. Wynn flitted down to the edge of the roof, ready to follow. She was even a little eager to find out where they'd be going today...

[DrakeRaids]

Ahrim Kros

Ahrim wiped the sweat from his brow as he leaned back in his forge. Luz lay in the corner warmed by the fire and happily dozing. How long had he been working? Ahrim sighed as his stomach rumbled, too long apparently, he need lunch, then maybe after that he could try out that new cannon that had arrived from down south....

After all, there's a saying about all work and no play...

Ahrim whistled and Lux lifted her head questioningly.

"Come on girl, you wanna go grab some grub at the Jasmine Dawn?" he said with a smile.

Lux barked and jumped up towards the door, tail wagging, and Ahrim followed happily. Today was going to be a good day, he thought happily as he idly scratched Lux behind the ears, he could just feel it.

Upon arriving at the Jasmine Dawn Ahrim and Lux barged through the door, and, obvious to any present conversations, walked up to Sable and began speaking loudly, "Hey Rain!" he said with a grin, "Watcha got today? I'm gonna drop if I don't get some food."

Meanwhile Lux had left her masters side for a moment, and was looking intensely at each person in the room before suddenly stepping back and barking furiously. Ahrim himself turned at the noise, and seemed to see the golden Juggernaut and what could best be described as thing in the courtyard for the first time.

Yelling he stumbled backwards "Stay back!" he howled "I-I can break you with just my hands!"

[Phrax]

An eyebrow is slowly raised at the little outburst by the next person through the door, Epoch turning slowly to face the new man. "And greetings to you as well...Though you might consider for a moment the absurdity of nearly running into someone, and then demanding that they stay back.", he comments. Offering the fallen twilight a gauntleted hand, nods his head to the beast man, "As you can see...You have no enemies here unless you wish to create them...Or unless they proceeded myself.", he adds, almost as if questioning Rain's immediate loyalty.

Now that his armor has had a chance to shed the moisture build on its surface, a snap of his free hand sends those intimidating golden plates fading into nothingness, save for a lingering golden glow emanating from the 'juggernaut' himself. Epoch stands now in something much more akin to a world-weary traveler, a heavy fur cloak and well worn leather. Of course, very few travelers carry seven-foot sword shaped objects on their backs, though some might call such an assessment picky from a person flaring the sign of their exaltation as bright as day.


1 mote spent to activate Hauberk Lightening Gesture, armor dismissal

[Axelgear]

Two-Fisted Drest

Seeing an anima banner flare, Drest does little more than quirk an eyebrow, wrinkling his old forehead. He sips his drink, seemingly unfazed by the sudden appearance of one of the Anathema. This was certainly interesting. Not worthy of interference just yet but interesting. Besides, he seemed to be handling the situation well.

Yep.

Ssssssip.

[The Rose Dragon]

"Personally, gentlemen, I would rather not have you thrown out," Sable Rain interrupts with a gentle yet stern voice. "I do not tolerate fights before midnight and I certainly do not tolerate it in sober people. Perhaps my old bones may be too brittle to fight you myself, but Drest here can show you a thing or two about how tough old men can be."

[Raz_Fox]

Vek Stormchaser

Vek sniffed the wind as he thought about what to do today. Old Arys hadn't been too helpful yesterday, and he was nowhere near being able to rally up a crew - he didn't even have a new ship yet. First order of the day's business: find a hot breakfast. Second order of the day's business: see what Three Pillars had in the way of ships.

He was about to head off down the streets when he heard the howl of a frightened child. He glanced over his shoulder irritably as he strode away, only to see the gleam of the sun's gold - that stopped him mid-stride. He blinked, hardly believing his eyes. How in Malfeas's belly had he missed that?

The brawny barbarian wearing the golden armor snapped his fingers and the golden armor dissipated into nothingness. Vek halted, debating whether to head back to the inn and speak with the wearer of the sun's gold or to go find something to eat.

Breakfast could wait. A prospective ally or cat's-paw was priceless. Vek grinned to himself as he strode back across the courtyard. Perhaps the compass of his dream was telling him that he was already right where he needed to be.

[Axelgear]

Two-Fisted Drest

Drest, hearing his name spoken with a mention of a fight, just lowers his mug long enough to stare over it. He says nothing, needing to say nothing, merely giving a hard glare at the both of them before setting down the mug, walking around the behemoth and pulling the fallen man to his feet.

"Up you come." He intones, helping up Ahrim, then smacking him lightly on the back of the head once he's on his feet. "Play nice now." With that, Drest returns to the counter himself, picking up his mug once more and finishing what's left in it. However, his eyes stay on the behemoth of a man who now has a faint glow on his forehead. Strange mark to have in this day and age...

[Phrax]

"Agreed. The last thing I need after a long trip is violence. And the first, I believe, is a good drink.", Epoch states, matter-of-factly, turning his attention to Rain. "Perhaps you would be so obliging to assist in that aspect?", he wonders, tromping over to a seat at a table and slipping into it, with a slight bit of protest from the chair.
"Now that i've got a seat, I believe it is time for introductions, seeing as how in this country there is a certain curse of appearance and ability. One can never have too many allies." Drumming his fingers on the table, he points to Ahrim, eyebrow raised, "Let's start with you, young one."

[Raz_Fox]

Vek Stormchaser

Vek entered the Jasmine Dawn again, glancing about as he assessed the situation as well as he could. The two old men at the bar wouldn't be any problem, and the only other people in the bar were the barbarian and the frightened kid, sitting down at a table together. Excellent. Isolate the prey, they'd have no hope.

He came up behind the barbarian, ignoring the kid. He clutched the back of his chair and leaned forward, keeping his voice low. "I've seen a few treasure hunters carrying the sun's gold on them, looted from ancient tombs, but commanding it as you will? That... is a rare gift. Don't mind if I sit down, do you?" Vek ignored any reply, taking a seat next to both the barbarian and the child. "Especially for someone bearing the sun's mark. Oh, I noticed all right - it's hard to miss, really. Oh, don't worry," he said with a magnanimous wave of his hand. "I'm no Immaculate myself." He let that sink in for a moment, before he continued. "You staying in town for long, country boy?"

[DrakeRaids]

Ahrim Kros

"I'm Ahrim." he said as he glanced around warily, "I'm sorry about you know... freaking out. I'm just not used to this, and I was working all day and-" Ahrim cuts himself short as the beastman sat beside them. He was weird , no doubt about it. There was something almost scary about the mix of features. Made his skin crawl. Sighing he stroked Lux's fur the the knowledge of his pet being so close acting as a comfort.

He didn't quiet trust them, but he was going to find out what they where doing here, maybe the weren't so bad, today was supposed to be a good day right? Maybe things would turn out better then they began. shaking his head he grinned over at them, "So." he began forcing as much confidence into his voice as he could muster, "who are you guys? What are you doing here?"

[The_Snark]

Wynn

... apparently, they would be going right back inside. It was always a little annoying when the fox went into a building. The outside world lay bare and open before Wynn, but inside was annoyingly closed to her. Oh, she could go in, but birds were as obtrusive inside a building as they were innocuous outside them. Even mice were likely to be remarked upon (and hit with something), and she hadn't yet figured out how to hunt spiders or moths.

It occurred to her that she could easily just walk in as a person, but she took an instant dislike to that idea, and thinking about it didn't make it any better. A girl who entered an inn alone, didn't drink anything or ask for a room, and paid too much attention to other people's conversations... no, not a good idea at all.

The bird dropped gracefully from the roof, and a moment later there was a ragged-furred terrier in the snow, nosing around outside the door to the inn.

[Axelgear]

Two-Fisted Drest

Drest looks at the golden man demanding introductions and just quirks an eyebrow. Strange man indeed, just asking for information and allies like that. Trusting and naive, he seemed. Ignoring him, thinking it didn't involve him, Drest just moved to go and sit by the fire, listening to the others and watching them out the corner of his eye while petting the head of one of the large mountain lions that rests by the open flames.

[Phrax]

Epoch blinks a bit as the rather talkative beastman takes a seat, turning his attention that direction a moment. "You'd think someone who walks commonly in your state would be more apt to be less sociable. Though, I suppose the same could be said of myself." He scoots his chair a bit to get a little distance between him and Vek, before continuing. "I will be staying for at least a little while, at minimum until the storm passes. What about you? It is amazing in such a city, so hostile to the wyld already, that you haven't been hunted down, thus, it can be surmised that you have just recently arrived as well."

[Raz_Fox]

Vek Stormchaser

Vek chuckles at the barbarian's remark, the insinuation that he's wyld-touched. It's not a kind, sociable chuckle - it's the kind of chuckle that comes right before a statement like, "Burn the ships" or, "I don't want any survivors."

"Me? Oh, I know how to survive in ways that even the Icewalkers don't have any knowledge of. Those who aren't normal-" he spat the word like a curse, "Soon learn how to survive." He leaned an elbow on the table and gave the barbarian a piercing look, ignoring the kid. A slight bit of hypocrisy, seeing as the boy was barely five years his junior. "But you - you wear the sun's gold without a care, you flash the sun's mark carelessly. I look at you and I see someone who'll end up on the receiving end of a Wyld Hunt." He let that sink in before continuing, driving at his goal. "And the outcasts look out for each other."

He clasped his half-gloved hands in front of his face, leaning both elbows on the table now, watching the barbarian's face carefully. A curious man, who jumped to assumptions, spoke his mind without thinking. He still couldn't judge the man's wit or his weak points, but that would come soon enough. "Is there anything I can help my fellow outcast with? Advice?" He slyly grinned. "Transport?"

He turned to the innkeeper - what was his name again? Rein something. "Hey, Rein! A couple of drinks on me - I'll have whatever's hot, and the kid here can have whatever's safe." He glanced at the kid over his shoulder. "If you don't mind?"

[The Rose Dragon]

"Officially, I'm not bound to serve you drinks while Dawn's bar is closed." Rain gently speaks. "Drest is as a townsman now, so he gets an exception. However, I can get you tea and breakfast, if you so desire." He places before Ahrim a small plate of cheese, two eggs and a slice of bread. "Would tea suffice to warm your throats, gentlemen?"

[Raz_Fox]

Vek Stormchaser

Vek gave the inkeeper a baleful look. "Rein, Rein, Rein. I'm paying. But if you're so desperate to save your drinks, then just bring over the strongest tea you've got."

[The Rose Dragon]

"You will still pay me for breakfast and tea, good sir. However, I am simply the innkeeper of Jasmine Dawn, not the spiritmaster. The spiritmaster is my nephew, and he comes here only after dusk. Now, you can take your tea, or you can kindly remain dry-throated for all I care." He pauses for a long moment, and adds. "Also, it would be wise not to delay your payment for tonight's room if you intend to extend your visit in my fine establishment."

[Phrax]

"Tea is fine, thank you.", Epoch comments dismissively, resting his head on a hand. "What did you say your name was?",he inquires of the beastman, drumming his fingers on the table. "Information is mostly what I need, though transport could come in handy at some point. Tell me who is in charge of this city, and where they might be located."

[Raz_Fox]

Vek Stormchaser

Vek felt that he should be shuffling a deck of cards in his hands for some reason. Movement, that was it. Draw attention away from his words, get them to look at what he was doing. He tapped his fingers on the table instead.

"They call him Jukatha. Ain't that right, Rein? Old Jukatha's just got a soft retirement, though - the real power around here's a Dragon-Blood. I haven't caught his name yet." He shrugged his shoulders noncommittally. "If you believe the rumors, they say you're more likely to find the Dragon-Blooded in someone else's bed than in his official residence. That's about all I know about him." Thank the gods he'd been asking the same questions of old Arys yesterday. He had all the luck, didn't he?

He folded his fingers in front of him, giving the barbarian a querying look. "If I was to take a guess, I'd say a country boy asking about the local government would be interested in setting up a trade route of some sort, am I right?"

[Phrax]

"Not really a trade route, per se, though that could come later.", Epoch replies, lacing his fingers together before him on the table. "I have something....a little more direct in mind. You said the regent isn't at his official housing too often. Is he diligent in his duties? Does he keep a sharp eye on what was granted to him?, he questions. Not even for a moment does his attention sway from Vek, regarding the beastman with a calculating gaze. "You seem a touch on edge, friend. Something on your mind?"

[tonberryking]

Lyr Aogemm

As the storms roll in closer, a small white cloaked form manages to beat the inclimate weather front, and she bursts right into the inn with a few gasping breathes as if she ran or jogged into Three Pillars. Surprisingly, she draws stares just as easily as the golden warrior, but for entirely different reasons.

The mocha colored face and teal hair would raise eyebrows, the tight black outfit seen under the fur cloak also a contrasting visual, but these features belong to a 16-year old girl. What would garner attention is that the petite lady is carrying over one fur clad shoulder a massive and ornate crossbow. It's nearly the size of the girl herself. and more absurd than fearsome, yet the young lady strides into the bar regally as if she very well owns the place. A small satchel meant for travel brushes off the inn floor with her steps; she seems to have more trouble holding the bag by one hand than the bow gun on her back.

Forgetting to close the doors, she strides up to the bar, giving Rain a piercing gaze on her best bartering face.

"Innkeeper!" her voice is a bit high in pitched but not exactly shrill, Your establishment will glory from my presence; I am in need of shelter to ride out the oncoming winter and I am by all means prepared to pay-- and not just with my regal presence... she explains, struggling to heft her satchel up onto the counter. "Ah, could you give me a hand with this? I've been so encumbered since I trekked into this quaint town on my own.

[Raz_Fox]

Vek Stormchaser

"On edge? I live my entire life on the edge. It's just I-"

Vek's excuses - which would probably have turned into blatant lies - were cut off by the mother of all entrances. A tiny girl with a big bow swaggered into the bar, looking around like she owned the place. Vek's face split into the broad grin of schadenfreude as he watched her practically drag the bag across the room, before turning back to the barbarian.

"You seem to want a lot of information on the higher-ups here. Luckily, you happened to meet the one man who can get you anything in this town. For a trivial fee, I can get you information on anything - here, tell me whatever, whatever you need answered, from where the regent's favorite drink is to where one could acquire a key to his dwelling. Sound good?"

[The Rose Dragon]

"Most certainly, your majesty," Rain speaks at the young girl who entered so pompously, smirking all the while. "Would you like to be fanned and fed grapes while you are at it?" After a slight cough, Rain returns to his usual collected self. "If you care to pay with silver and not favors, then I believe I may have a room for you, miss. Though it may not befit one of your regal bearing, it is certainly the best you will get this side of..."

A loud, shrill scream from outside the inn brings a pause to Rain's words, followed by a cry for help.

"You traitorous whore!" Another, less shrill, more thunderous and just as loud voice follows. "You had no station, I gave you one! You had no blood, I associated you with that most potent of bloods! I would give you the world that a wretch like you could only dream of, and this is how you repay me for my kindness? You return my love with poisoned words and drinks? You would leave me for a mere mortal?" The music of an earthquake and a great conflagration mixed together in a discordant manner soon follows. "You deserve nothing, then! You are nothing but the one who signed the death sentence of this hellhole!"

[tonberryking]

Lyr

The queenly lass gives Rain a dry look, unable to appreciate the humor at first as she finally struggles the bag up onto the counter, only to have it shook off the bar top and land behind it thanks to all the shaking and quaking.

"You take me for a fool, Innkeeper-- Grapes are horribly out of season and fanning as well. I only need the servants and their--Ack!"

She nearly falls on the floor, but she does well to balance herself as the thunderous voice rants accusingly outside. The once cutesy face Lyr puts on for the world to marvel at becomes serious, angry even, and with a flick of her cloak she storms back out towards the doors, crowding the inn entrance with her tiny frame, future queen Lyr looking about for whomever is foolish enough to interrupt her lodgings arrangements.

"Oy! Who dares disturb the Mistress of Earth and Sky so brutishly?!?"

[Raz_Fox]

Vek Stormchaser

"...Or you could just talk to him yourself, if you want. Sounds like he's just outside." Vek sat back in his chair with a smirk. This wasn't any of his business, even if it sounded like the dragon-boy had fallen out with one of his lovers. After all, why would he want to fight one of the dragon's children? Even with the powers of a Solar, that would be a fight and a half.

...

Actually, that sounded like a very good idea after all. People would remember the name Vek Stormchaser for bringing down one of the Dragon-Blooded, dueling him in the streets for a maiden's honor. Yeah. He grinned widely as he stood up, one hand resting on his sword's hilt. He strode across the room quickly, placing a warning hand on the "princess's" shoulder. "Hey, kid. Let the grown-ups handle this, all right?" She was probably no younger than he was, but it was the experience that mattered. He flicked his tail into her face as he shoved past her, looking out into the street. "You coming, country boy?"

[tonberryking]

Lyr

Apparently it was unwise to touch the princess.
"Cur! Insolent dog!!"

Lyr practically explodes, aiming a low-heeled, black boot for the tail as its owner heads down the stairs. Whether or not it hits, she hops down the stairs ahead of Vek, bristling. "Kid, indeed! Stuff your barbs; someone's in trouble, you buffoon!" she huffs, red cheeked, but she doesn't waste time berating the beastman further; her eyes harden with concern (after all, a future subject for her queendom is very much in danger, one simply must prioritize things.)

Not that it would take much, but force would be the only way to keep her from sticking her nose into this, it becomes apparent.

[Phrax]

Epoch's nice, quiet meeting is interrupted in all manner of methods in no lengthy span of time. Needless to say, he seems a little off put by both the bow-wielding girl huffing into the establishment and the audible commotion that follows in her wake outside the tavern. "Of course i'm coming, though i'm fairly sure our visit will not be appreciated regardless of exactly how hastily we arrive.", he comments, rising to his feet with a groan from the chair beneath him.

He then proceeds to follow the other two out into the street, though with much less enthusiasm (or competitiveness). In fact, his pace is almost leisurely, no more hurried than if he were taking a morning stroll.

[Axelgear]

Two-Fisted Drest

Drest made no flashy exit, leaving subtly with his friends, arriving outside and watching the conflict unfurl. He approaches the noise of the conflict and takes on a stare of grim resolve.

[The_Snark]

Wynn

Wynn listened to the newcomer with amusement and growing wariness. The girl was almost too pompous to believe; what kind of person walked into an inn expecting everybody to fawn all over their regal presence? Princes of the Earth, that's who; them and other folk as could get away with it. Surely somebody would have beaten and robbed her if she were as stupid as she sounded.

On the other hand, she'd actually left the door hanging open, and it took a special kind of idiot to do that in the North. The dog shuffled closer, wondering if she could get away with going inside. She didn't much like being seen, but it would be nice to get out of the snow and into the warmth of the inn for a little...

The commotion put an end to that. Canine ears caught the approaching footsteps and bickering, and the dog sat bolt upright, shrinking as fur turned to feathers. Wynn wasn't looking for a fight, but it seemed the people inside were. She'd watch, and maybe learn a thing or two.

The bird fluttered up to the edge of the building across the street, peering in the direction of the noise and getting ready to follow when the others came out.

[Raz_Fox]

Vek Stormchaser

Vek nimbly dodged the boot coming after his posterior as he jumped down onto the street, glancing about. He rolled his eyes as the princess started whining at him. Syndics, would she ever shut her mouth?

He let her last words follow him as he raced down the street towards the source of the yell.

[The Rose Dragon]

Soon, Wynn sees the source of the commotion: a middle-aged man that appears to be one of the Dragon-blooded, surrounded by a silver-gold halo of power and the occasional burst of fire within. He is scantly clothed, even in the cold North weather, as is the young woman that lies at his feet. The two are surrounded by a group of townsfolk that stay a safe distance from the Terrestrial - although the bruises and burns on the woman's skin make it obvious that she does not have the luxury. The Dragon-blooded man shouts several obscenities before continuing his comparatively civil speech.

"So, will any of you meek people defend this harlot's honor? Do any of you dare touch me to protect her life?"

[Raz_Fox]

Vek Stormchaser

The Stormchaser was first on the scene, and he grinned to himself. Well, this was perfect. Save the harlot, save the town. The foul Blooded would be defeated, and the dashing pirate would be hailed as a hero. That suited him just fine.

"Captain Vek Stormchaser. You called?" Vek drew Swift Song as eyes turned to him, and the sun exploded behind his eyes. It suffused him, a burning golden fire flowing through his veins. For just the barest of seconds, his eyes glowed golden in the light as the fire burned through him, suffusing his body and making every muscle afire with the sun's power. He was alive, he was strong, he was burning. And he grinned.

"Come then, you dragon's bastard! I spit on your blood and your heritage - is that not enough?" He stepped forward, letting all eyes feast on him. This was living! He tossed Swift Song from hand to hand, easily. "I will defend this lady's honor from he who has none! Come then, lord of ash and sludge, defend yourself!"

Vek draws his short daiklaive, but he also uses Increasing Strength Exercise for +2 Strength for a total of Strength 5 for the entire scene, for a cost of 6 motes of Personal Essence.

Stunt?

[Axelgear]

Two-Fisted Drest

Walking towards the Dragon-Blooded and pushing gently yet firmly through the crowds, Drest makes his way towards the fiery popinjay as well, though his entrance is hardly as flashy. Instead, he carries himself with the resolute calm of a man who could most assuredly punch someone so hard in the jaw that their teeth would become lodged in their colon.

"Aye," Drest nods in agreement, making an appearance as well, "I'm with fuzzy here. Probably best for everyone that you just walk away." The old man makes his statement bluntly, eyes squaring in on those of the Chosen of the Dragons and carrying with them the bitter assurance of defeat as inflicted by a snow drift upon a man caught in a snowstorm in his skivvies.

One arm on his spear, one ready at his side, Drest stands like a pillar in the snow that surrounds his feet. A stiff wind picks up his beard and tosses it wildly, as well as dragging his cloak, momentarily revealing the faces of the snarling cats behind him. As the crowd clears, they shift to move to his side, leaving him standing in the snow, flanked by the cats and very ready to charge.

"What's it going to be? Years on the drifts have told me men in your position rarely get a chance to take back their words once they've thrown down the gauntlet."


Stunt? Gonna roll Charisma + Presence + whatever.

[Phrax]

Epoch

As calm as ever, Epoch strolls leisurely towords the gathering, giving a sigh as if listening to griping children. Golden strings of essence begin to flow about him with each step he takes, curling about his body like dust on the air. These strings gradually form the golden plates that formerly covered his body, and by the time he reaches the edge of the crowd (and the slight furrow his 'allies' have created) that shining carapace once again encases him from head to toe.

"Now, now children...Let's play nice...", he jokingly chides as he passes them and approaches the irate dragon-blooded. "There's absolutely no reason to be uncivilized, now is there?", he adds, more to the terrestrial than anyone else, even daring to step into that blaze-laden air about the fire exalt. With his helm on, there is only a slight halo of the sun's radiance around his head, though it is still visible on the air. "So are we going to play nice, or am I going to need to separate you two?"


2 motes spent in successive actions for Whirlwind Armor-Donning Prana on the approach. 6 motes committed to Armored Scout's Invigoration to reduce mobility and fatigue penalties to 0.

[The Rose Dragon]

"Bah! There is only you three to humble one such as I? A Prince of the Earth?" He gazes at each of you, and stops his eyes when they fall upon Epoch. "Ah, but you... You are something else, aren't you? Are you a demon, an Anathema? Are you as powerful as they say, I wonder? Shall I gain glory from your death?" With a simple gesture, the halo around the Terrestrial solidifies into a large blade of glistening white in his hands. "If you are indeed powerful as the Order says, I shall not defeat you easily, Anathema. Luckily, I am not alone."

Suddenly, several people from the crowd also light up with a brilliant aura of power, of different colors and intensities. While azure and midnight are the most common shades, there are several surrounded by a deep scarlet and a couple flaring with a verdant green. From a higher vantage point, Wynn can count at least nine of the Terrestrials - not even a light exercise for the group of Lawgivers collected, but a great source of harm to those mortals gathered.

"My name is Mnemon Katroth, Forsaken, great-grandson of the Scarlet Empress and disciple of Pasiap. If you still wis to challenge me and my brothers, you would do well to remember that after your death."

[Axelgear]

Two-Fisted Drest

With a heavy sigh and a sad shake of his head, it becomes evident that this will not end without violence. Quietly marching through the snow, it crunching beneath his feet as he moved, Drest approaches the cocky fop of a Chosen and towers over him.

"I did warn you," he reminds the man, "and now you have no-one to blame but yourself."

Reminder provided, Drest drops into a fighting stance and moves with a speed and accuracy only capable of being described as blinding and unleashes a devastating attack for his first strike. Fist clenched, he drops and arcs his fist upwards into his motion and tries to bring it towards the popinjay's jaw.

[The Rose Dragon]

Drest's unexpected assault strikes Katroth square in the jaw, accompanied by a light cracking noise, threatening to knock the Terrestrial off-balance. Katroth falls back a step, but quickly regains his footing, and raises his gaze up at the Golden Bull, with anger in his eyes.

"That... you can't hit me! Nobody hits me and lives!" Katroth shouts, and the rest of the Dragon-blooded immediately move to surround Epoch and Vek. "I would let you live, old man, if you hadn't done that! Now, you will have to die along with the Anathema!

[Phrax]

Epoch

Giving a soft smirk at just how upstart and sorely inexperienced the dragon-blooded appear to be, Epoch reaches behind him to grip the haft of his blade, tugging it just enough to slip it loose from its sheath. "If you and your brothers wish to engage us, and if you identify us as Anathema, your mind must have abandoned you for you to possibly believe the odds are in your favor. Stand down and live, or stand fast and be purged.", the Soul of Unconquered Time warns, stepping forward to place himself in a stance to be well within sword's reach of most of the terrestrials surrounding him and Vek.
"That one is all yours old man.", he calls to Drest, "Try not to leave him resembling jelly too nearly." His attention then turns to Vek, a slight nod given to the woman on the ground near Katroth's feet. "Get to her and get her out of harm's way as much as possible."

[Raz_Fox]

Captain Vek Stormchaser

"Surely you must be joking, barbarian. This bastard of Mnemon is mine!" He glances down at the women again and winks. "But stay by me, and I'll keep you safe, lass."

Swift Song is a bright melody of golden death in Vek's able hands as he glides over the snow - well, more like slush, given the state of the road - and lashes out at Katroth with much more fluidity than any onlooker would think possible from his appearance. Vek is the north wind now - graceful, flowing and yet inhumanly swift and biting deeply. One! Two! Through and through!

And as swiftly as the assault had begun, Vek stepped back flamboyantly, standing between the woman and the Dragon-Blooded. "Come, and regain your honor if you dare - without your proxies! For by the Syndics, you will not touch her again while I still stand."

Battle... Joined!

[roll0]

Also, Vek's going to spend 4 motes of Personal Essence on the First Melee Excellency for his flurry, two extra dice on each attack.

[Dex 5 + Melee 4 + Acc 5 + Charm 2 - Flurry (2/3)]

[roll1]
[roll2]

I'll roll damage in the OOC.

[tonberryking]

If you can't do something right, you take credit for doing it...

Lyrelle, nearly losing her temper at how her (now noted) fellow Exalted tower in front of her beating her to the punch, suddenly sees how to use this to her own vantage and looks around for something she can climb on to stand out.

[roll0] Joint combat
...One barrel and a few boxes later, as the beastman idiot captain engages in combat and the others bravely extol their valor, the white clad Eclipse gains her balance atop the ensemble and, yes, strikes a pose-- with her gigantic crossbow. At least she has the propensity to fire first before starting into a rant at the poor ears of the dragonblooded.

[roll1] [roll2] Using the fowlhead essence bolts for this attack, aiming for the first two goons rushing to the aide of the Hot head

"Well done, my loyal captain, my brave knight errants! The Mistress of Earth and Sky (that's me) is pleased with her subjects' valor and let these lowly terrestrial bullies know I am not above aiding my men in this heroism!" She calls out ahead of the essence bolts, "Know that the Unconquered sun's most favored daughter will not forgive this cowardly show of uncouthness!!!

[The Rose Dragon]

The oversized crossbow the rather petite Lyr easily carries shoots two bolts of light at the Dragon-blooded closest to Katroth, and one of them strikes a child of Hesiesh on the chest, eliciting a painful noise from the Fire Aspect. The second misses an Emerald Dragon as he gracefully ducks a step to the left before the bolt can connect.

Five of Katroth's brothers draw their steel blades and slice away at Drest, even their clumsy efforts far surpassing mortals, as two of them manage to connect their blades with the Golden Bull, drawing blood and causing a small amount of pain.

The remaining four, two Fire Aspects and two Air Aspects, study Epoch carefully, their blades at hand, but they do not make any moves on the Lightbringer yet.

OOC: We're currently at tick 2, with Tick 0 and Tick 1 already over.

Tick 2: Vek, Drest
Tick 3: Katroth, Epoch
Tick 4:
Tick 5: Dragon-blooded, Lyr
Tick 6: Vek

[Axelgear]

Two-Fisted Drest

Feeling the strikes, Drest hardly blinks, leaving Vek to deal with the pompous ass of a man. The lick of the blades at his arm does not faze him, the wounds barely bleeding as he turns slowly to face those who would dare to inflict such a pitiful assault on him. With a shake of his arm, the stain of red is gone and there's not so much as a sign of a scratch remaining.

Focusing his Essence, Drest takes a moment to ready himself, dropping into battle stance. Every muscle in his body tenses; every sinew firmly set into place. His skin hardens until it is solid as rock, and the chilled wind casts his hair askew once more, as he fixes his eyes in a steely position on his opponents. The sunlight glints off of him briefly, as if he has a metallic sheen but then it vanishes as quickly as it appeared.

Like a mountain, Drest becomes an unbreakable testament to glory. His eyes become a focused glare that blazes its way into the very soul of his opponents, tracing them each and letting them know that they very dearly have something to worry about. From Drest's wrinkled lips slip words that each of them can feel in their heart from the merest flicker of his eyes:

"You're all going to get it now."

Spending 4 motes and 1 WP to activate Iron Kettle Body, giving Drest an extra 8 to his Bashing and Lethal Soak.

[Phrax]

Epoch, The Soul of Unconquered Time


"You have been warned.", Epoch states flatly to the four terrestrials surrounding him, feet spreading to take a slightly better stance. Slowly, he moves his free hand in a circular motion to the haft of his blade, the slightest hint of a golden afterimage following his movements. Pushing off with his back foot he begins to move impossibly fast, swinging Chronos with a speed that defies the time in which the attacks take place.

One strike against each of the dragon-blooded around him, each one leaving an essence-lit ghost image of him after the follow through of his swing, the edge of his sword tracing glittering arcs through the air. Once all the blows are complete the moment seems to hand in the air for a second, before the afterimages join their creator again. The Ascending Sun stands amidst his foes as if the onslaught had never taken place, his armored visage glowing with the pure light of the Unconquered Sun.


Spending 8 motes for 4 attacks via Peony Blossom attack. Peripheral aura now at 10 motes.

[The Rose Dragon]

Swift Song glides through the Terrestrial's flesh like snow glides through the air - with perfect grace. It leaves several wounds on the Disciple of Pasiap, which bleed ever so slightly before shutting themselves clean.

"What... what are you?" Katroth gasps, barely able to breathe and apparently about to fall down. "You will not kill me, you monsters! With that proclamation, the earth beneath the snow shakes and explodes under your feet, breaking your balance and leaving bruises and wounds where the pebbles and rocks meet your flesh. "I am a child of the Earth Dragon! I will not be vanquished so easily!" Speaking those words, Katroth starts running away, his feet on fire and the snow melting as he dashes over it, almost, but not quite stumbling down to the ground at every step.

Within a single second, the trembling and erupting earth claims the lives of almost everyone around you - including the girl that caused all this. Yet still you stand, and so do the Dragon-blooded around you, shielded by the elemental Essence within them.

OOC: Everyone within 500 feet of Katroth takes 3 levels of lethal damage, unless they can roll Stamina + Resistance, difficulty 5. Epoch's Peony Blossom attack does not take any penalties due to this, however.

Tick 5: Dragon-blooded, Lyr
Tick 6: Vek
Tick 7:
Tick 8: Drest, Epoch

[The_Snark]

Wynn

The bird watched as the Children of the Dragons flared into blazes of light and death, a sight Wynn had only seen once before. It was not one of her fondest memories. Rather to her surprise, the tavern-goers stood their ground, even confronted. Anathema or not—the word was being bandied about, and of course there was the foxman she'd been following—it seemed foolhardy.

Even more surprising was the fact that they didn't fall at once. Not even when surrounded by the Dragons. Golden light shone fitfully about the battlefield, visible even where it should have been obscured by elemental maelstroms: a bright flash of light, a trail of glittering dust in the wake of a sword, a flash off skin as if it were made of gold. All of them had it...

... except for the foxlike No Moon. Oh, he moved as swiftly as any of the others—but moonlight conspicuously failed to spill forth from his brow. No tattoos lit, no silvery light traced his motions. Why's he still holding back? He gave up on subtlety when he walked in here all half-beast with that mark on his forehead...

Preoccupied with that question, Wynn didn't notice the outmatched Dragon's declaration until the earth erupted into an expanding circle of dust and chaos. She barely had time to realize that there was a ripple in the air too before it struck her. There was a sudden crushing sensation, as if the ground had fallen up and slammed into every inch of her. For an instant, she was blind and deaf and dumb; there was nothing but an enormous pressure, like being buried alive.

Then it was gone, and she was flapping her wings desperately to avoid falling; the blast had bowled her off her perch. The wave of pressure was past her; as she struggled level and began to climb higher, she could see it shaking buildings and shattering the streets.

She could also see the Dragon who'd done this, fleeing... if you could call it that. He was on his last legs; it looked like he was trying not to fall down at each step.

With a flit of her wings, she sent herself after him, gliding through the air like a tiny dart.

Using 5 Personal motes to activate my anima ability, doubling speed, and then Dashing towards him, staying well above him so as to be able to dive when she catches up. If the bird's Dexterity is 3, that makes her dashing speed 16.